Chapter 158: Falling into the Water and Revealing Identity

Seven days later, in the streets of Lianhua Town.

Qin Xiangnuan emerged from the courtyard and, upon seeing the crowd of people kneeling at the gate, instinctively took a half step back. The prefect, standing nearby, smiled and said to her, "They've come voluntarily to thank you. Because of you, Lotus Town is free of the plague." With that, the kneeling people immediately called Qin Xiangnuan their benefactor. Old Hao, alerted by Jiang Lin's gaze, shouted hoarsely from the crowd, "Thank you, General Qin!"

"It was the people from the General's Mansion who saved our lives!"

The people seemed to come to their senses and immediately joined in bowing in thanks, with the sounds of thanks rising higher and higher.

Qin Xiangnuan narrowed her eyes and turned to look at Jiang Lin beside her, knowing that this scene must have been his handiwork. Jiang Lin pretended not to see her gaze and walked over to the prefect, rubbing his thumb and palm of the hand in his sleeve. "You should know what to write in the memorial and what to leave unmentioned." The prefect felt a chill run down his spine and nodded, swallowing hard.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. You are the only one who is making plans to control the plague this time. You are the one who brought the doctor here."

"I definitely didn't see anyone else."

The prefect was a smart man, and he immediately expressed his loyalty. Jiang Lin nodded in satisfaction and left the house with Qin Xiangnuan. They had just taken two steps when they heard a soft call from behind. Qin Xiangnuan turned her head and saw Ying Niang following behind. "What's going on?"

Qin Xiangnuan asked, Ying Niang lifted her skirt, knelt on the ground and said, "Ying Niang asks the young master to take her in."

"There's no place for Ying Niang in Lianhua Town anymore. I don't know what to do. Ying Niang doesn't have many special talents, but she can cook a little bit. She also knew how to serve people when she was a maid. If you don't mind, please keep Ying Niang." The beautiful woman was making her utmost efforts for her future and destiny. She knew that if she could leave with Qin Xiangnuan, she would definitely have a good life.

Maybe, maybe I could even become her concubine.

Ying Niang learned from Anliu and Anfeng that Qin Xiangnuan's status was not low, and she would never dare to climb the position of the main wife. But even if she was a concubine, she thought that someone as gentle as her would be particularly considerate and would not treat her unfairly. Ying Niang's eyes lit up, and she waited nervously for Qin Xiangnuan's answer.

On her way to exile, she seemed to be picking up people all the time.

Starting with Wang Qiang, Qin Xiangnuan sighed and helped Ying Niang up. "The place we're going to isn't as good as Lianhua Town. We might not even have enough food or warm clothes. If you stay here, I can ask Lao Hao to find you a job. You'll always be able to have enough food and clothing."

"Ying Niang just wants to follow you."

No matter how hard Qin Xiangnuan tried, she couldn't help Ying Niang up. Seeing more and more people gathering around them, Qin Xiangnuan didn't want to waste any more time, so she nodded and said, "Then follow me. If you want to leave later, I will never force you to stay." Seeing her agree, Ying Niang immediately stood up, hands hanging in front of her, and followed them, her face full of obedience. Only when Qin Xiangnuan turned around would she look at her with a lingering look.

"I'm afraid your peach blossom debt is getting bigger and bigger."

As a bystander, Jiang Lin saw it clearly and gave a warning.

Qin Xiangnuan had forgotten she was dressed in men's clothing. Listening to Jiang Lin's jealous teasing, she frowned and looked at the river in front of Lianhua Town and said, "Let's take a look before we leave. If it's not completely resolved, I'm afraid the plague will come back again. By then... I'm afraid the prefect won't be able to do his best to treat it."

They all knew full well that the prefect's hardworking and seemingly caring attitude towards the people was simply because Jiang Lin was in charge. But if the Crown Prince left, the prefect would likely suppress the situation and allow it to continue unchecked. Qin Xiangnuan gave a copy of the prescription to Lao Hao and Jia San, instructing them to take it beforehand if anyone else developed a high fever. Ultimately, the root cause must be addressed.

"Here it is!"

Ying Niang pointed ahead and asked in confusion, "Why is this pond full again? There was no water a while ago."

She stood hesitantly beside the river. Anliu and Anfeng had just returned from the mountaintop, reporting to Qin Xiangnuan, "As you said, there were several brown bear carcasses on the mountaintop. They were rotting and stinking, blocking the river. We moved them and burned them. Now the river is flowing normally." Anfeng and Anliu stepped aside. Qin Xiangnuan nodded. It was the same as what she had thought. This way, there would be no more major problems.

"When we leave, tell Lao Hao to send someone to keep an eye on it. The soil in the river pond here is soft and you might fall in accidentally. Remember to set up protective measures nearby..." Qin Xiangnuan hadn't finished her instructions when she heard a splash. She turned around and saw Ying Niang falling into the river pond. Her body was heaving up and down, her face pale as she waved her arms, "Master, help... help..."

Ying Niang can't float on water?

Qin Xiangnuan frowned, and without caring about anything else, she jumped in, grabbed Ying Niang's hand, and dragged her to the shore.

"Are you okay?" Things happened so quickly that Jiang Lin had no time to react. He simply took off his outer robe and covered Qin Xiangnuan with it, asking with concern. Then he frowned and told An Feng to go to the prefect's residence to ask for two carriages. "You've caught a cold now, so I'm afraid you can't ride a horse anymore."

Qin Xiangnuan sneezed and nodded, her hair dripping with water. She turned around and looked at the woman whose body was shaking like a sieve.

"Mother Ying, are you okay?"

Ying Niang's eyes were red with emotion, and she wanted to publicly declare her love for him. But when she saw Qin Xiangnuan, she was so surprised that she couldn't utter a word. When she jumped into the pond, Qin Xiangnuan's hair crown was knocked off, and now her black hair was soft and loose. Because she fell into the water, her clothes clung to her body, outlining her graceful and clear figure.

Jiang Lin held Qin Xiangnuan's shoulders and protected her in his arms. He deliberately lifted her hair and tucked it behind her ears.

Ying Niang felt dizzy and her ears tinnitus. She stared at the pierced ear of Qin Xiangnuan's ear, her heart pounding. An unknown amount of time passed, until her body felt frozen. Then, with a trembling, almost tearful voice, she asked, "Are you a woman?"

Qin Xiangnuan nodded calmly, "Of course, it's just that my identity makes it inconvenient to travel, so I changed into men's clothes."

"How……?"

Qin Xiangnuan saw that her face looked bad and wanted to raise her hand to comfort her, but Ying Niang suddenly turned around and ran away with tears in her eyes.

Qin Xiangnuan was confused, but signaled Anliu to follow, "Don't let anything happen to her. If she wants to follow us, take her with you in the carriage behind us. Let's go to the inn together..."